I heard earlier this transfer window that the club didn’t expect an offer for Moussa Dembele. There was interest a year ago, but a year of injury, then a fresh injury at the start of this season, convinced all that the player would be with us until January, at least.
When Real Madrid invoked a buy-out clause for Lyon striker Mariano on Wednesday, the French club were prepared to throw a lot of money around to buy a replacement, and their primary target was Moussa Dembele.
There are millions of euros at play here. Agent fees alone would be in seven figures, while the contract available for the player would dwarf anything Celtic pay. In addition, they were prepare to offer Celtic a lot of money. So what do you do?
Celtic were not planning to sell Moussa Dembele, just as they were not planning to sell Kieran Tierney in July. The club gave very clear messages to Lyon that they would not entertain a bid. Note Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas’ comments “I know the boss at Celtic well. He is basically like a bulldog who negotiates after yapping.”
The assumption in Lyon was that after Peter Lawwell’s “yapping” there would be some negotiation. Lyon expected Celtic to roll over, but Celtic did not bite.
The choice was to pocket the money without buying a direct replacement (as it was too late), or reject the offer. The sale was not even considered, by the manager or board. As we saw three weeks ago with Boyata, Celtic do not need the money, what they need is talented footballers.
It was right to reject the offer. Not just because we need players more than money, but because if we fold under player pressure, we will only encourage more ‘sore back/not the right frame of mind’ scenarios when contracted players are tapped up during a qualification campaign.
The football business is incredibly unstable. We contract players, who, if they succeed, will soon be able to earn millions of pounds per year more than we will ever pay them. You either sell when the big offers come, or turn your face to stone and sell when you are ready.
I don’t know if playing hardball this month will stop this happening again, but folding would guarantee tantrums every time a player receives an 80€/week offer. We could be sitting this morning with all the money in the world, but a little light up front. That’s not the plan and never has been.
The first piece of business today was the signing of central mid, Youssouf Mulumbu. Youssouf’s career came off the rails when he broke his metatarsal weeks after joining Norwich three years ago, but a cameo half season at Kilmarnock convinced Brendan Rodgers to move. Welcome to Celtic, Youssouf.
Let’s get Filip Benkovic signed up, and spank Newco back into their dystopian existence on Sunday. Oh, and Malmo and Sarpsborg would do nicely in the Europa.
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BIG WAVY on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 11:37 AM
Bada Bing
Can we still take people on loan ????
Sorry for bum steer guys, only out of contract available now…
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 11:24 AM
Fair points, but maybe not on Benkovic’s language skills. His TV interview shows a decent grasp of English, certainly enough to manage ‘Ma Ba’, ‘Out’, ‘Man On’ and ‘Time, Time’ – phrases seemingly beyond some of the incumbents. On field we should still prevail.
Off field, we seem to be less adept at business continuity, scenario planning and risk management.
HH
Taranis
Is the Bankies game at Maryhill Juniors ground today?
Might go to it.
From 2014. Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell accepts that the club’s transfer policy has faltered in the last year or so. “Our commitment as a board has been that every penny that comes in will be reinvested back into the club. That is a fact.”
From 2018. Asked about the impact of not getting through to the CL group stages, Lawwell told the Celtic Underground podcast:
‘I don’t think we’ve ever been stronger.
‘At the moment, I’m looking at two or three years out and understanding where we can be and where we want to be.
‘We’ve got resources that will enable us to have a long runway and enable us to look at any things that don’t go to plan.
‘We do plan for the unexpected so I think we’re very robust. We have good resources and we have pretty ambitious plans in regards to the football team and around Celtic Park.’
From the horses mouth WE DO PLAN for the unexpected? Really Peter. Also we are still waiting to see the ambitious plans you have for the football team. Would that be filling the squad with loans and freebies while selling off the family jewels.
Dembele is now history the guys signed a 5 year contract worth 4 Million £’s a year
that’s 20 million over five years for a player who is a hamstring injury regular
anyway it’s not the end of the world lets all get behind the Club with positive
vibes instead of going down the path of D&G mode ffs some posters should
not let the fickle finger touch their minds go for the up instead of the negativity
doom & gloom mode cheer up it’s not all bad news cheers everyone & COYBIG
JAMES,
How was the Dembele situation a “Clusterfek”.He wanted to go,he went.We tried to persuade him to stay,he said no.Simple.PL was right in what he said.The Board could have sold Boyata and Dembele,but Brendan wanted them,and was backed.The only”Clusterfek” was it all happened so late.Something outwith anyone at Celtics control.I will slaughter the Board on Res 12,in fact,on all of their handling of the Hun fiasco,but I refuse to join in on a witch hunt that has no basis,except to make the participants feel popular.I put the facts and figures down.In his time as manager Brendan has been backed by this Board to the tune of,including loan fees,nearly £ 30 million .With the unwanted money for Dembele,and Armstrongs fee,that is now cut to 3 million.January would be the time to create merry hell if money is not spent then.
one for dd.
the knightwood brothers as sons of the rock.
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/5816/pftv.jpg
QF – even funnier was some people thinking we could find a replacement at 9.00 last night and if we didn’t MD would stay on loan for 6 months. Seriously? LYon spend 20 million on a new striker and on the eve of the CL say he can stay in the SPFL. Not a chance.
The one man who should be delighted MD is away is Leigh. Leigh was on fire two seasons ago and then, when at the top of his game, was left on the bench whenever MD was fit. If MD stayed then Leigh looked like dropping to 3rd choice striker. He is being gifted the chance to once again become the main man. He is more than good enough to lead the line for us in the SPFL, so I really hope he can stay fit and take turns with OE to win title number 8. Not sure if he has long term injury issues or just been unlucky the last few months, but fingers crossed for him.
BT
Hope my trip to Amsterdam is better than your City Chambers trip. Great chatting earlier bro.
YNWA
Tomorrow is a big game but not a huge game for the first time in a long time sevco really belief they can win against Celtic and in football anything is possible. If we lose sevco they have not won the league also if we win we have not won the league it is only 3 points and bragging rights for who ever wins.A big part of the season could be the January transfer window both clubs have a lot of games including the Europa league matches so the club with the best squad has in my opinion the best chance of success and we have the money to strengthen our squad im not sure sevco have. So good luck to Brendan and the Bhoys tommorow. H.H.
OGLACH,
We did not sell off the “Family jewels”.Dembele wanted to go.The Board backed Brendan in trying to keep him,as they did with Boyata.
Brendan has told us all this .Unless he is a liar.
AKBW
Agree. Moussa is history. I have that excited feeling now about how Mulumbu and Benkovic peform in the Hoops.
YNWA
on Dembele, last out to training yesterday and first back to changing rooms, you could see the contempt in his face and body language as he strollled out. No denying he is a great talent but he was disrespectful and treated, his colleagues, BR, the fans and CFC with contempt…plus side we are up £20 million, feck him.
On the window, disgraceful, no Plan B, we have never learned. The Club knows how the window works. You should always plan for someone coming in late for one or more of your prized assets.
Crazy think to say but until Moussa stuck his two fingers up at BR and the Club I didn’t necessarily subscribe to us being weaker. We certainly were not any weaker.
I think why so many people are wetting their pants is because sevco have a new team but that takes time, yes a reasonably good start for them as results show but they have a smaller squad.
I am no panty wetter. We have a Manager who has won a double treble, has by and large the same squad, got an experienced midfielder who will hopefully help the team in going forward not side to side or backward passing. And we have strengthened the defence. Had we got a RB and kept Moussa, most would have been happy.
On Moussa a fantastic talent but not Player treats our Manager and Club as he did yesterday. Had he stayed a while longer I would have wished him well as I knew it was only a matter of time before he left. Our profit £20 million. Do I wish Moussa well do I feck. His tweets and actions yesterday, only one ending…feck him and let us move on.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
DD
Cheers pal, there is a small display on the ground floor of city chambers about Irish and Highlands famine
Only a 2 minute look but it’s quite good for all the visitors who go into the City Chambers
BT
Ouch…..
MORTON V LEEDS UTD – BOBBY COLLINS FAREWELL GAME
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7771/3htr.jpg
Saint Stivs
I used to joke with Colin that the handsome brother signed for Celtic. Colin agreed :)
A lovely gentle giant bluenose, taken too young.
Colin McAdam RIP
Worried that Moussa’s transfer has driven an explosives truck through the romantic strategy of building a 2020 Champions League winning team where all the players would be born within 30 miles of the Stade Francais.
Hail Hail
Matt (en route to “The Energy Check for Thrills” …disnae really roll off the tongue)
My goodness, parading the young lad Armstrong Okoflex this morning is the most Celtic thing ever. He agreed to sign for us two months ago and we parade him today, treating the fans like mugs again. We need to get a grip of the PR, the support are seeing right through this stuff and it’s embarrassing.
Good luck to the young lad, however.
DELANEYS DUNKY on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 12:15 PM
AKBW
Agree. Moussa is history. I have that excited feeling now about how Mulumbu and Benkovic peform in the Hoops.
YNWA
So do I Delaneys Dunky I think everything will work out fine for our Club in the long run.
The Bhoys will never walk alone that’s for sure H.H
So, Moussa has gone. Guess I won’t be needing that Moussa Dembele testimonial t-shirt.
Good luck, Moussa. Thanks for the goals. Keep banging them in, especially against PSG!
Lennybhoy
Well said. How could any of us seen how MD imploded so unprofessionally at the end ? Even prouder of Brendan for his subsequent actions – GTF Moussa…
Bada – Are we looking for out of contracts ? And can they play before Jan ???
Aye the board supported the manager by allowing players agents to negotiate with suitor clubs, you’ve got to be really really stupid to offer that as proof of unity.
@ JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 12:11 PM
You are talking about strengthening in the January transfer window?
You do realise we had three months to strengthen already?
Saint Stivs
Spent many Saturday’s on those Kilbowie benches when Celtic were playing away. Davie Cooper was the reason with Frank McDougall. Great players who I wanted Celtic to sign. We got Jimmy Lumsden fae that great Bankies team. Crackin photos thanks.
Big W- guys could possibly cut a deal with their clubs, then they would be free agents
Moussa Dembele didn’t start in 33 games last season….
Sorry Bada – I’m being daft here I know. Can they play straight away or is it registering for a start in January ?????
TURKEYBHOY on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 12:08 PM
“I put the facts and figures down.In his time as manager Brendan has been backed by this Board to the tune of,including loan fees,nearly £ 30 million .With the unwanted money for Dembele,and Armstrongs fee,that is now cut to 3 million.January would be the time to create merry hell if money is not spent then.”
Not listening to those figures in the accounts then TB? It’s not close to £30m and even then a majority of supposed £30m is made up of OE for £9m (of course that was not all up front).
You conveniently forget we got at least £7m for VVD, as well as £1m for Svietchenko and £1.8m for Scepovic and Johansen (again a number taken from the accounts).
We are comfortably in profit in terms of transfer sales. On top of our record profits and £30m in the bank.
I’ll admit to being at the wind up with this post.
2008 scotland earned 41 coefficient points in Euro completion. EBT assisted Rangers earned more than half (23.5) with illegally registered players. Scotland were 5th rated nation which helped the 5 year average allow direct access to the CL and an extra qualifying spot. Without Rangers coefficient points this would not have been the case.
Did Celtic steal someone else’s place in the CL the following season on the back of EBT cheating?
CanOfWormsCFC
competition
Moussa Dembélé at his Lyon unveiling press conference:
“From my side, I was certain I wanted to come to Lyon. Celtic needed a replacement, well, at least that was the excuse that they gave… In the end, they gave in.”
Aye and feck you to ya fud Dembele
TURKEYBHOY:
This time, let me take it from the top.
Why do I have to justify my initial stance on McGinn? That stance hasn’t changed one iota. On no account would Hibs have sold him to us. It wouldn’t have mattered what offer we made or when we made it, they would not have let us get him. I was wholly in favour of us standing firm on not paying £4 million. The problem was that everyone knew the position and then made a third offer anyway, and only after it was too late to matter.
We should have left the second offer on the table, and moved on. The third offer allowed us to look flat-footed and amateurish and gave the press an opportunity to hammer us. We screwed that up from the off, and the arrogant assumption – of which I myself was guilty, at first – that McGinn would wait until January proved to be a shocking miscalculation.
That we allowed it to drag on instead of just moving on is my ONLY gripe with that. For holding firm, for not being blackmailed by Petrie, the club has my 100% backing.
The same applies to Roberts; why, when it became clear we weren’t getting him, did we not move on to the next name on the list? It seems, at least, that my questions about Mulumbu have been partially answered; we went for him the minute the McGinn deal collapsed … late in the day, and something we should have done the minute they rejected offer number two, but that makes sense.
Was there a second name on the Roberts list? Was Mulumbu really the next best option we had after McGinn? And don’t forget, I like this guy and think he’ll do us a turn.
Lewis Morgan was signed last season, the argument that he and Edouard and Hendry etc were signed as part of this summer’s business is disingenuous at best and at worst manifestly dishonest. The manager had Morgan at the club and STILL wanted a Roberts replacement; get around my answers as you like, the manager is going to impossible to convince of this.
Arzani might be the Second Coming of Larsson. We don’t know. The manager was crystal clear in wanting proven quality and he is not. He was also not chosen by the manager, but was brought to the club via the Man City partnership which is anchored by, amongst other things, Lawwell’s son being on their payroll and there are aspects to THAT which are deeply troubling but inappropriate for discussion here.
And I may well be paranoid to suspect we’re being eased towards accepting that KT’s time is coming to a close, but only if you ignore the steady drumbeat on that issue, including from Paul himself. I had dismissed it all as speculation, and KT himself has pledged his loyalty to the club … but loyalty does not extend to staying on a sinking ship. This club has to be worthy of a player like KT and right now it is not.
As to our recruitment “strategy”; it has always been deeply flawed, because it is over-focussed on this “development for profit” model instead of “development for football success”. But of late it has been absolutely stinking; our signings in this window were said Man City youth, a target from over a year ago, a free transfer who was playing in the SPL, an SPL keeper we signed last season and Izzy. And yes, Eduoard, who is the only evidence that scouting of any kind is happening at all.
Lawwell should swing for this window; he is far too arrogant to fall on his sword. Those hoping Desmond will do the deed ought not to get their hopes up. Lawwell will be here past Rodgers; it matters not. When he goes it will not be with applause ringing in his ears. When he’s driven Rodgers out of the club it is that, and not Steven Fletcher, for which he will be remembered by history.
But Lee Congerton should already be cleaning out his desk. His appointment has been disastrous. I cannot fathom what he brings to the club. He’s stealing a wage.
Dominik Diamond
Verified account
Quite liked this from @DominikDiamond
If someone had said 2 yrs ago: you will buy a striker for peanuts, he will skelp the utter shite out of them, you will make nearly 20 mill profit but he will leave like a huffy brat when you have a younger better version?
I’d have taken that offer in a heartbeat.
#Dembele #Celtic
Delaneys Donkey
It’s at Holm Park mate. Might see you there…..
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE. I know many Celtic fans are not happy with the transfer window that has just closed.However, I am not one of them I think Dembele caught us out but you cant blame him when he is offered 20 million over the next 4 years not counting merchandising etc. I believe him leaving will give Sparky more games and sharpen up his game and for me he is a natural goal scorer I feel bringing in a defensive midfielder will strengthen the midfield and help the defence bringing in a defender on loan who cost his club 13 million should help as well and of course we brought in big Eddie and Morgan plus the young Bhoy from Arsenal so in my view not a bad window. So we have money we will strengthen in January so for me there s no panic.H.H.
Things cannot get any better.
All that lovely lolly and no time left to spend it.
new article posted.